The Student Association seemed to have forgotten that "more is lost by indecision than wrong decision."
As students waited for SA's announcement of who will perform this year's event of the semester, Fall Fest, they got antsy. With righteous indignation, many wondered, "What is the hold up?"
But on Monday morning, as students trudged along the hallways of UB's North Campus, they saw a sign. It was a sign for Fall Fest 2013, replete with a star-studded lineup: A$AP Rocky, Drake and Big Sean. But it was merely a hoax.
Some have expressed outrage at the culprits who dispersed this rumor, and we understand that. Their hopes were elevated, and then they plummeted. They now feel that any lineup will be a disappointment.
But they should stop and realize it's not that big of a deal.
Christopher Riddick and Winger Ruiz are not conventional heroes by any means, and their college-life mentality is in plain sight, but their prank was more than just a prank. They called attention to a problem and influenced SA to take action.
As days and weeks were passing by without an announcement, students began to grow dubious. SA was putting more pressure on itself as the tension was accumulating. The meaning of the prank seems to have been a valid point - that the process of delay was leaving students in dismay.
The majority of UB undergrads care about Fall Fest and Spring Fest more than any other school event. It is also their only (or primary) interaction with SA during their time here.
And SA knows the students want a good concert.
Vice President Lyle Selsky expressed outrage at the prank, saying it would damage students' expectations. He said it almost ruined the show. But Riddick made a very valid point in our interview with him. "If I almost ruined it, does that mean they know it isn't going to be that good?" he said.
If SA really was confident in the show, this would have been irrelevant. But they panicked; it perhaps said more about them than it did the prank.
Selsky cited the Fall Fest two years ago, when it took even longer to announce the lineup, as evidence that they were in good shape. But what he did not mention is that Fall Fest two years ago was disastrous. The Fray put on an uninspired performance, to put it nicely. No student walked out of the gates screaming the lyrics to the band's popular hit, "You Found Me." They were still wondering if the band ever found Buffalo.
SA, however, didn't remember that this year. And, as Edmund Burke once said, "those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it."
Those planning these events should know that transparency is key. SA announced on Thursday the show would include: Super Mash Bros, Ace Hood, A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky.
For those disappointed that Drake won't be in attendance, they can see him Oct. 16 when he comes to Buffalo.
A problem SA has had is that its line of communication has only been through The Spectrum. The higher-ups should use their Facebook group more astutely and perhaps post an apology for how long this announcement took.
In the meantime, we can wait for Oct. 13 and hope it will be a good show. It is one of the biggest communal events of the semester and much of the student body will be in attendance.
And perhaps we should thank Riddick and Ruiz. They encouraged SA to realize it was finally time to let us know who will be there.
Email: editorial@ubspectrum.com
